The Detroit Lions traded up in the 2022 NFL Draft to select Alabama All-American Jameson Williams with the 12th overall pick. Over his first two seasons, Williams has posted 25 receptions for 395 yards, three touchdowns, and four rushing attempts for 69 yards and one touchdown in 18 regular-season games. However, after scoring two touchdowns in the Lions’ 34-31 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game for the 2023 season, Williams truly broke out in 2024. He recorded 58 receptions for 1,001 yards, seven touchdowns, and added 11 rushing attempts for 61 yards and one touchdown. Williams also had a memorable 61-yard touchdown run in Detroit’s 45-31 loss to the Washington Commanders during the second round of the NFC playoffs on January 18.
Williams is entering the final year of his four-year, $17.462 million rookie contract. The Lions have three ways to secure his services beyond the 2025 season: negotiating a new contract before the current one expires, using the franchise tag in the upcoming offseason, or exercising his fifth-year option.
All first-round picks’ contracts come with a team option for a fifth season, which must be decided before the player’s fourth year. For 2022 draft picks, the deadline to exercise the fifth-year option is May 1. Following the NFL’s announcement of a $279.2 million salary cap for the 2025 season, up $23.8 million from 2024, the salary figure for fifth-year options for the 2022 draft class was revealed.
Should the Lions choose to activate Williams’ fifth-year option, he would be guaranteed $15.493 million for the 2026 season. This figure reflects the average salary of the third through 25th highest-paid wide receivers over the past five seasons. Williams falls into the most affordable category for fifth-year options, which includes players who have not been selected to the Pro Bowl or met certain snap-count requirements.
The five designations for fifth-year options include:
- Players selected for at least two Pro Bowls.
- Players selected for one Pro Bowl.
- Players who have played at least 75% of offensive or defensive snaps in two seasons or 50% of overall snaps in three seasons.
- Players who don’t meet the Pro Bowl or snap-count criteria.
